What is the Flag Patrol ?

The Flag Patrol is an ongoing Pack 229 service project for St. Theresa’s School. It is intended to build individual responsibility while teaching respect for the flag and providing service to others.

The scouts receive instruction in performing the tasks and then are left to themselves to carry out the assignment and overcome problems. Parents should not intrude in the process but let the scouts decide what to do if: the flag is tangled, it’s raining, other members are late, etc.

Selection

At each pack meeting, a call for volunteers is issued. The Scouts are asked to discuss it with their parents who then must contact the Cubmaster to enroll their scouts.

Duration

Each Flag Patrol runs for approximately 1 month. The new patrol starts the Monday after the pack meeting and runs through the Friday following the next pack meeting.

Shifts

Each Flag Patrol consists of a morning and afternoon shift. Scouts may volunteer for either shift or both.

Morning Shift

• Arrive at the school office prior to 7:40am
• When the school clock reads 7:40am, Stripe Man enters the school office and asks for the flag.
• Stripe Man holds the flag with both hands against his chest.
• Stripe Man leads the patrol to the flagpole. All members walk respectfully.
• Pole Man unwinds the rope and lowers the hooks.
• Hook Man takes the top hook in hand.
• Star Man holds the top grommet of the flag.
• Hook Man attaches top hook to top grommet.
• Stripe Man Unfolds flag slightly.
• Star Man holds bottom grommet of the flag.
• Hook Man attaches bottom hook to bottom grommet.
• Star Man and Hook Man stand back and hold a salute.
• Stripe Man continues to hold flag off the ground.
• Pole Man raises the flag.
• Stripe Man stands back and holds a salute after the flag is on it’s way up.
• Pole Man wraps the rope in figure 8’s around the cleat.
• Pole Man stands back and salutes.
• Pole Man says “Two!” and all scouts drop salute.
• All scouts proceed to their classrooms.

Afternoon Shift

• At the first afternoon bell, all scouts gather their belongings and head to the flag pole. Do not wait for the second bell.
• Pole Man unwinds the rope and lowers the flag.
• Stripe Man gathers in the bottom of the flag into his arms.
• Star Man holds the top grommet of the flag.
• Hook Man releases the top hook
• Star Man holds bottom grommet of the flag.
• Hook Man releases the bottom hook.
• Pole Man raises the hooks and wraps the rope in figure 8’s around the cleat.
• Each man takes a corner of the flag and commences folding. (see pictorial)
• Once folded, Stripe Man holds the flag with both hands next to his chest and walks the flag respectfully back to the office.
• All scouts proceed to their departure zones.

** Each week the patrol should rotate duties.